How to Resize Fake Jewelry

By Elizabeth Chaplin ; Updated September 15, 2017

Things Needed

Costume jewelry chain

Jewelry cutter

Ruler

2 pairs of chain-nose pliers

2 jump rings

Costume jewelry is a great way to express oneself without emptying the wallet. Assortments of necklaces and bracelets can be purchased that have gold- or silver-plating, which is much more inexpensive than high-carat pieces. The plating can cover several types of metals, including copper, pewter and brass. Costume jewelry chain links can be purchased in many craft or jewelry-making stores to use as extensions or to shorten a fake jewelry chain.

Lengthening

Make sure the costume jewelry chain is the same or very similar color and weight as the original jewelry. Hold the jewelry against your body to get an idea of how long the necklace or bracelet needs to be.

Cut the extra chain to the desired extension size using the jewelry chain cutter. Then, cut the piece of chain in half. Use a ruler to make sure each piece is equal.

Grasp the jump ring on either side using both pairs of chain-nose pliers. Twist the pliers on the right side toward you and the pliers on the left side away. This will open the jump ring. Open both of the jump rings in this way.

Open the jump ring on the original necklace or bracelet in the same fashion. The jump ring on the original piece will be the ring the clasp attaches to.

Slip one link of chain through the necklace or bracelet jump ring and close the jump ring. Do this by grasping the jump ring on either side using both pairs of chain-nose pliers and twisting the pliers on the right side away from you and the pliers on the left side toward you. Attach a jump ring to the opposite end of the extension chain, then close it.

Remove the original clasp. Do this by opening the jump ring that holds the clasp in place, then slide the clasp off. Slide the end link of the other piece of extension chain over the open jump ring that once held the clasp. Close the jump ring.

Slide the last jump ring into the clasp and through the end link of the extension chain. Close the jump ring.

Shortening

Use the jewelry cutter to cut the necklace or bracelet to the size needed. When cutting a necklace with an affixed pendant, make sure to cut equal amounts of both sides of the chain. Do this by measuring each side equally with a ruler, then cutting.

Open the jump ring on the end of one chain piece and the jump ring holding the clasp on the other chain piece. Do this by grasping each jump ring on either side using both pairs of chain-nose pliers. Twist the pliers on the right side toward you and the pliers on the left side away. Remove the jump rings and the clasp.

Slide one jump ring through the chain link at one end of the shortened piece of jewelry. Close the jump ring with the chain-nose pliers by grasping the jump ring on either side using both pairs of chain-nose pliers and twisting the pliers on the right side away from you and the pliers on the left side toward you.

Slide the other jump ring through the clasp and the chain link at the other end of the jewelry. Close the second jump ring with the chain-nose pliers.